It was formerly common in appropriate habitat and during the breeding season at the onset of the rainy season (2,765 males were seen visiting two pools in an eight-day period; Nowak and Robinson 1975). This species was not seen from 1987–2007 despite repeated searching (seven consecutive years of intensive searching to 2007: Héctor Zumbado, Andrés Vaughn, Warren Calvo, Adrián García unpublished data 2007) throughout its range. Nevertheless, the species was subsequently rediscovered in 2009 at two sites 2 km apart with adults, juveniles, and tadpoles(Abarca et al. 2010). Extensive searching has revealed less than five adult toads, and no large breeding aggregations such as were formerly reported for the species, suggesting a population of fewer than 50 adults (Abarca et al. 2010).

This species lives in montane rainforest. It is a fossorial species, and can be found under surface debris within the forest during periods of heavy rain, but otherwise it prefers mossy stream banks during dry periods. It is an explosive breeder that lays its eggs in forest floor pools, as well as in man-made drainage ditches (Savage 2002).Historically the species bred in large aggregations in pools in an open pasture. Subsequently, due to habitat protection efforts, the pastures have begun reverting to forest. A resurvey in 2009 demonstrated that the area formerly covered by pasture was now dense, young secondary forest dominated by oak (Quercus sp.) trees. The suitability of this secondary forest for the species is unknown, as recent sightings have been in more open areas covered with bushes and grasses (Abarca et al. 2010).

Although not proven, the main cause of the population decline is thought to be chytridiomycosis perhaps in synergy with the effects of climate change. The current reversion of the pastures where the species was original found abundantly to secondary forest may or may not be a threat to this species (Abarca et al. 2010).

Much of the known range of this species is protected in Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo, 20 km north-east of the capital of San José. The two sites where the species is known to persist in 2010 are located in the Cerro Dantos and Jaguarundi Refuges, neither of which have the same protection status as a national park. Even with the lower protection status, the forest cover of these refuges remains intact and seemingly not threatened (Bruce Young pers. obs. 2011). More information is needed on this species' natural history and threats.

In-Place Research, Monitoring and Planning Action Recovery plan:YesIn-Place Land/Water Protection and Management Occur in at least one PA:Yes Percentage of population protected by PAs (0-100):100In-Place Species ManagementIn-Place Education